Gaza [Palestine], April 25: The Israeli military on Thursday acknowledged that it mistakenly fired on a United Nations facility in Gaza in March, killing a UN employee.
The military said the building, located in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, was targeted "due to suspicions of enemy presence" and "was not identified" as a UN site at the time of the attack.
The military expressed regret over "this serious incident." Preliminary findings indicate the employee was killed by tank fire.
"We regret the unintentional harm to the UN employee and share in the family's grief," the statement continued.
The attack occurred on March 19, injuring five people, some seriously, according to the UN.
At the time, the Israeli military denied any involvement, stating: "Contrary to reports, the Israeli army did not attack a UN building in Deir al-Balah." A Foreign Ministry spokesperson also said initial findings showed no connection between the incident and Israeli operations.
Jorge Moreira da Silva, executive director of the UN Office for Project Services, said strikes had taken place on and around the facility in the days prior, prompting the organization to alert the Israeli military. He said that the site, involved in demining efforts, was well known to Israeli forces. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
